The Alabama Medical Cannabis Commission (AMCC) has taken steps to advance a testing laboratory application crucial for the state’s medical cannabis program. In a meeting on Thursday, the commission approved corrections to the laboratory license application, which will now undergo a 30-day public comment period.
Mark Wilkerson, the AMCC’s legal advisor, provided an update on ongoing litigation affecting the program. He reported that in recent months, three decisions from the Court of Civil Appeals led to the dissolution of temporary restraining orders. However, a denied applicant has filed a petition with the Alabama Supreme Court, seeking a review of the Appeals Court’s ruling. Wilkerson noted that the timeline for the Supreme Court’s decision remains unclear, but the AMCC is prepared to participate if required.
The commission had previously opened a one-month application window for state testing laboratories on February 14. Out of five submissions, one application was returned for amendments before it could be accepted. Justin Aday, the commission’s general counsel, confirmed that the only remaining requirement for the application was a background check from the FBI. This check was received on May 7, clearing the way for the application to proceed.
The AMCC will review the application in detail during its meeting on June 12 and plans to make a final decision by June 17. This testing lab is a key component of Alabama’s medical cannabis framework, established under a law enacted in 2021, which allows physicians to recommend cannabis for various qualifying conditions, including chronic pain, PTSD, epilepsy, and cancer-related pain. The law specifies that cannabis can be dispensed in various forms, including tablets, tinctures, patches, oils, and gummies, but prohibits the use of raw plant material.
As the AMCC moves forward with the testing lab application, it also continues to navigate legal challenges that may impact the future of Alabama’s medical cannabis industry.
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